Indonesia continues to face a persistent and complex challenge in financing maternal health programmes. Despite commendable progress in some areas, maternal mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Indonesia’s maternal health financing challenges stem from a combination of factors, including ongoing medical and infrastructural needs, as well as areas where funding could be further optimized. 

While significant efforts have been made, opportunities remain to improve coordination and alignment across policies and funding streams to ensure more effective and efficient programme delivery. Notably, Indonesia’s health expenditure per capita remains relatively low compared to many countries at similar income levels, highlighting the need to further strengthen investment in health—particularly for maternal and neonatal health.

While the State Budget (APBN) and other domestic resources have played a critical role in supporting maternal health programmes, current allocations alone are not sufficient to fully meet the growing and complex needs across the country. It is important to leverage existing efforts and resources by adopting more sustainable and integrated financing approaches that complement traditional aid-based models and help address remaining funding gaps. This includes harnessing the full potential of both public and private sector contributions, and tapping into alternative domestic sources. Among these, Indonesia’s dynamic and rapidly expanding Islamic finance sector presents a promising opportunity to mobilize additional resources and enhance long-term sustainability.

Islamic social finance instruments — such as zakat (an annual tax levied in Muslim society), and sadaqah (voluntary charity or almsgiving) — have long supported social welfare in Indonesia. Data from Indonesia's National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) reveals a consistent upward trend in annual zakat, sadaqah, and other Islamic social finance collections. In 2024, the total funds collected reached IDR 40.4 trillion, reflecting a 25.25% increase compared to 2023. 

These funds represent a powerful and largely untapped resource that could significantly close maternal health financing gaps and promote sustainable programme outcomes. These tools now offer a unique opportunity to address maternal health challenges by filling critical funding gaps and ensuring long-term programme sustainability.

Strategic Investment Facility: A Catalytic Approach

In response to these needs, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) introduced the Strategic Investment Facility (SIF), a groundbreaking move from traditional "funding" models toward a catalytic "financing" approach. Rather than acting as a direct funder of services, SIF mobilizes modest resources to unlock and amplify far larger contributions from domestic governments, international financial institutions, philanthropic bodies, and the private sector.

This shift reflects a broader recognition: sustainable health interventions must be rooted in domestic ownership and local ecosystems. By integrating Islamic social finance into the maternal health agenda, Indonesia has the opportunity to scale up interventions, foster stronger community involvement, and ensure long-term impact.

Launch of “Kawal Bumil”: A New Chapter in Community-Based Health

A notable example of this innovative approach is the “Kawal Bumil” programme, a collaborative initiative between UNFPA Indonesia, Rumah Zakat and the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI) DKI Jakarta, launched to combat maternal mortality through community-driven education and support. The programme was officially launched with a soft opening on April 17, 2025, in Majasari Village, Garut, West Java.

The event was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Ministry of Religious Affairs, local government agencies, and community leaders.

“Kawal Bumil”—which translates to “Guard the Pregnant Mother”—focuses on education and guidance for pregnant women, couples of reproductive age, prospective pre-marital couples, and adolescents. Its goal is to increase awareness of reproductive health and nutrition from an early age, building a foundation for a healthier future generation.

“Through continuous education, we hope Indonesian mothers can have safe pregnancies and give birth to a generation free of stunting,” said Drs. Sukaryo Teguh Santoso, Deputy for Community Engagement, Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga).

The programme is not just a health intervention—it’s a cross-sectoral collaboration aimed at creating a more resilient and inclusive maternal and child health ecosystem. With strong community participation, Kawal Bumil is positioned as a scalable model for grassroots empowerment across Indonesia.

Empowering Communities Through Zakat

During the programme’s national kick-off on May 6, 2025, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to community-based maternal health. UNFPA Indonesia Representative, Hassan Mohtashami, highlighted the critical role of local zakat cadres in delivering effective, culturally rooted solutions.

“This initiative empowers local zakat cadres and strengthens community-based maternal health interventions by strategically leveraging Islamic social financing. It embodies our belief that sustainable solutions must be rooted in the communities they serve,”

Mohtashami said.

Murni Alit Baginda, Chief Programme Officer of Rumah Zakat, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the power of collaboration and social solidarity. “We believe that the success of this programme lies not only in health interventions but also in the strength of collective action and continuous education at the community level.”

She further noted the vast untapped potential of Islamic social finance in Indonesia. “The potential value of zakat in Indonesia is estimated at IDR 327 trillion annually. This is a tremendous opportunity to achieve national development goals, including reducing maternal mortality, through blended financing mechanisms.”

The Kawal Bumil initiative signals a new era of inclusive, sustainable maternal health in Indonesia. By integrating Islamic social finance with catalytic funding models like the SIF, and through strategic partnerships with institutions like Rumah Zakat, Indonesia is charting a course toward a future where every mother has the support she needs to thrive.

This pioneering model could serve as an inspiration for other countries facing similar challenges—showcasing how tradition and innovation can work hand in hand to build healthier, more resilient communities.

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For further information, please contact:

• Dian Agustino (Communications Analyst, UNFPA Indonesia): agustino@unfpa.org  
• Vilino Melda (Project Coordinator, Rumah Zakat): vilino.melda@rumahzakat.org